Sales in France, which accounts for more than 40% of the company's overall revenue, posted organic growth of 1.4% in the quarter as sales at all store formats rose.

Sales in Asia were strong but contracted again in Italy.

Mr. Sivignon said the median analyst forecast for earnings before interest and taxes at EUR2.38 billion is "reasonable."

After two years at the helm, Chief Executive Georges Plassat's effort to turn around the slumping business with yo-yoing prices and unwieldy costs may be paying off. Under his leadership the company has focused on low prices to regain popularity among shoppers and on firm cost control.

Write to Inti Landauro at inti.landauro@wsj.com

Corrections & Amplifications

This item was corrected at 0735 GMT because the original misstated the market consensus for annual earnings before interest and taxes in the eighth paragraph. The median analyst forecast for Ebit is EUR2.38 billion, not EUR3.38 billion.

Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use.
Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. Intraday data
delayed per exchange requirements. S&P/Dow Jones Indices (SM) from Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
All quotes are in local exchange time. Real time last sale data provided by NASDAQ. More
information on NASDAQ traded symbols and their current financial status. Intraday
data delayed 15 minutes for Nasdaq, and 20 minutes for other exchanges. S&P/Dow Jones Indices (SM)
from Dow Jones & Company, Inc. SEHK intraday data is provided by SIX Financial Information and is
at least 60-minutes delayed. All quotes are in local exchange time.